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Supported UPSes and Cables

You can generally count on your UPS being supported if it has either an Ethernet-connected SNMP interface or a USB interface with an APC-supplied cable.

The ``UPSTYPE Keyword'' field is the value you will put in your /etc/apcupsd/apcupd.conf file to tell apcupsd what type of UPS you have. We'll describe the possible values here, because they're a good way to explain your UPS's single most important interface property - the kind of protocol it uses to talk with its computer.

apcsmart
An APCSmart UPS and its computer communicate through an RS232C serial connection. They use it as a character channel (2400bps, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity) and pass commands back and forth in a primitive language (see APC smart protocol) resembling modem-control codes. The different APC UPSes all use closely related firmware, so the language doesn't vary much (later versions add more commands). This class of UPS is in decline, rapidly being replaced in APC's product line by USB UPSes.

usb
A USB UPS speaks a universal well defined control language over a USB wire. Most of APC's lineup now uses this method as of late 2003, and it seems likely to completely take over in their low- and middle range. Other manufacturers (Belkin, Tripp-Lite, etc.) are moving the same way, though with a different control protocol for each manufacturer. As long as USB hardware can be mass-produced more cheaply than an Ethernet card, most UPSes are likely to go this design route. Please note that even if you have a USB UPS, if you use a serial cable with it (as can be supplied by APC), you will need to configure your UPS as apcsmart rather than usb.

net
This is the keyword to specify if you are using your UPS in Slave mode (i.e. the machine is not directly connected to the UPS, but to another machine which is), and it is connected to the Master via an ethernet connection. You must have apcupsd's Network Information Services NIS turned on for this mode to work. It is a much simpler form of running a Slave than the old Master/Slave code.

snmp
SNMP UPSes communicate via an Ethernet NIC and firmware that speaks Simple Network Management Protocol.

dumb
A dumb or voltage-signaling UPS and its computer communicate through the signal lines on an RS232C serial connection. Not much can actually be conveyed this way other than an order to shut down. Voltage-signaling UPSes are obsolete; you are unlikely to encounter one other than as legacy hardware. If you have a choice, we recommend you avoid simple signalling UPSes.

pcnet
PCNET is an alternative for SNMP available on APC's AP9617 family of smart slot modules. The protocol is much simpler and potentially more secure than SNMP.

The table shown below lists the APC model supported, and the possible kewords that you would use in the configuration with the listed cables. See below for more details on the keywords. Some of the models, particularly USB enabled models, can be run in multiple modes, so they may appear more than once in the table. APC is putting out new models at a furious rate, and so it is very likely that your model is not listed in the table. If it is USB enabled, it will probably work in USB mode. Please note that some of these new models are extremely inexpensive, so they are stripped down versions of more expensive units, and as such they do not offer as many features, so some of the example output you see elsewhere in this manual may not be available with your unit.

APC Model UPSTYPE Keyword UPSCABLE keywords for Cables Supported Status
BackUPS CS/ES (serial mode) apcsmart smart (note: using Smart Custom RJ45) the new Back-UPS RS 500 models are reported NOT to work with this cable. Supported
BackUPS Pro, Smarter BackUPS Pro apcsmart 940-0095A Supported
SmartUPS, SmartUPS VS (It has not been confirmed that the cable shipped with the VS is a 940-0095.), PowerStack 450, Matrix UPS, ShareUPS Advanced Port apcsmart smart (note: using Smart-Custom), 940-0024C Supported
BackUPS CS USB, Pro USB, ES USB, RS/XS 1000, RS/XS 1500, and probably other USB models usb usb (note: using APC cables 940-0127A/B/C) Supported in version >=3.9.8
SmartUPS USB, BackUPS Office USB, and any other USB UPS usb usb (note: using APC cable, no number) Supported, version >=3.9.8
All SNMP-capable models snmp ether Supported
BackUPS dumb simple (note: using Simple-Custom (This cable is not an APC product. You have to build it yourself using the instructions in Cables.), 940-0020B, 940-0020C, 940-0119A, 940-0023A Supported
BackUPS Office, BackUPS ES dumb 940-0119A Supported
BackUPS CS and possibly ES models (serial mode) dumb 940-0128A Supported
ShareUPS Basic Port dumb 940-0020B, 940-0020C, 940-0023A Supported


next up previous contents index
Next: Choosing a Configuration Type Up: Apcupsd User's Guide Previous: Supported Operating Systems   Contents   Index
2009-03-11